Freight-car.



3 SHEETS-SHEET l- INVENTORS FREIGHT CAR.

APPLICATION FAILED ocT.1l.1s1s.

C. CLARK & J. MANNING.

WITNESS y @gi/W `C. CLARK 6l. J. MANNING.

FREIGHT' CAR! APPLICATION FILED OCT; Il. |916.

Patented J une 12, 191.7.

` 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

'- l "INVLENTOS lBy fia; ArmRNEYs c. CLARK &1.MANN|NG.

FREIGHT CAR. LAPPLICATION FILED OCT. 11. |916.

Y Patented June 12, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

l//Ll INVENTORS aA/.f

ma "r WITNESS v UNITED STATES PATENT oEErcE CHARLES CLARK AND JOSEPH MAN'NING, 0F SAN' IEIBANGISCO, CALIFORNIA.

FREIGHT-GAB.

Specication of Letters Patent. Patented June 1917.

\ Application tiled October 11, 19.18. Serial No. 124,985.

`To all whom t may concern:

railway freight cars, either the vehicles are l partiall dismantled, by the removal there- `from o the wheels, fenders and other exterior parts, and each part crate'dg` or the vehicles are placed within the cars in a practically complete condition, and securely-and v rial is thrown awa ,able itemof expense.

firmly fastened by `means of blocks and braces to prevent any movement Vthereof In either case the amount of material and labor necessary for packing the vehicles within-the car constitutes a very consider- For example, the lumber required for building the crates or for making blocks, braces and scaffolding for one carload of automobiles frequently amounts to one ton in weight. This mateitls destination, an4 therefore results in a `dead loss. Moreover, transportation charges` must be paid "on said material at the same rate as the rate for the automobiles.V In addition to. this, a'considerable amount of laboris required for constructing` the crates or braces and for unloading at their destination.

The method of blocking and` bracing the vehicles within the car 1s, moreover, de-

the automobilesI structive to the car itself, for the reason that the blocks and braces are'nailed to the car body, thereby mutilating it,'a`nd byljust so muchA shortening its life. Any attempt to; load Vthe vehicles in a manner involvin less expense than that heretoforedescribe 'involves the danger of damage lto the ve-v hicles inV transit,.by Leingtorn loose from their-fastenings and thrown about within the car.

'The object of, the presenti` invention -is to when the car4` reaches represents the provide a railway freight car into which vehicles may be loaded easily and rapidly, and within which they `may be firmly secured to prevent damage in transit, and from which they may be unloaded with equal ease'. For this purpose the car is prvided with appliances particularly vadapted for the attaillllqnt of the desired objects, but so constructed as to not interfere in any manner with the use ofthe car in the ordinary manner for other-'forms of freight.

In order to comprehend the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying sheets ,of drawings, wherein- Figure 1 isa transversesectional elevation of the freight car embodying our invention.

, Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation'of a portion of the same, showing automobiles Fig. 6 is-a detailed side elevation eithesame.v

Flg.

mobile wheels.

7 is a 4detailed elevation, enlarged, of one of the chocks for blocking the auto-4 .Fig 8 is a part-sectional end elevation Vof the same,'taken in the direction `of the'ar- .rows on the line 8-8 of 'Fig'. 47.

Fig. 9 is aninterior elevation of aport1on. of the side of the car, showingjone method of carr ing the automobile wheels i when removed ni the automobile. .i A

1I14`i l10 is'a transverse diagrammatic Ideta automobile axle after the wheels havebee removedl therefrom.

Fig. 11 is van elevation, enlarged, of one? ofthe lifting jacks-shown in Fig..10.

y Inthedra'f the referencenumeral 1 rlsing a' `floo 2',fs1de walls 3 andV a roof 4. or'the'purposesvof illustration, the usual..

owing the means for supporting the of a freight car comrail running Wheels'are indicated at 5. It is understood that the car is of the well known end-door type.

-erly to receive the wheels of an automobile,

and provided with hinged cover members 7 adapted to cover said channels to form a level floor when the car is tovbe used for ordinary freight purposes. Within the channels are secured runways 8, preferably 4formed of steel beams of channel section, as shown in Figs. 1 and :7 of the drawings, and provided with laterally projecting lips 9 at the upper edges thereof.'

In loading an automobile or other-veliiclewithin our car, said automobile, shown diagramniatical'ly at 10 in Fig. 2 of the drawings, is run into the car, its wheels 11 lying within the channel members 8, as

shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 7 of the drawings.

The wheels l1 are then blocked to prevent lineal movement of the automobile by means of the device shown in Figs. 2 and 7` of the drawlngs, said device. comprising a chock member 12 having feet 13 adapted to rest within the channel member 8,'a clamp'member 14 having hooks, one'of which is shown at 15, for engaging the lips 9 of said channel, member 8 andv having also a clamp screw' 16, the' function of said clamp member being-to hold'the chock 12 securely to the channel memberS.` Said chock 12 is provided with an adjustable shoe 17 adapted to engage and bear against the tire 11 of vthe automobile wheel, said shoe having a pivotal connection 18 lat its upper end with the chock 12, and being adjustably secured to said chock by a-clamp. bolt 19, the adjustment of said shoe being provided for the purpose of enabling it r-to be adapted to' wheels of different sizes. As shown Vin Fig.

2, said chock members arev preferably placed on both'sides of each wheel of .thevehicle.

A clamp member 20, Figs; 5 and 6, is provided for iir'mly clamping lthe vehicle wheel to the channel member 8. -ISaid clamp meinber comprises a rigid portion 21 having at -one end a fixed hook 22 adapted to engage the li4 9 of the channel member 8, and. at its ot 'er end an adjustable hook 23, said .adjustable hook `being secured to the rigid central portion 21 preferably by means of a turn-buckle 24.l Said clamp' member is also provided with a flexiblestrap 25, hav- `ing one end fastened to the rigid central portion ,21 of theclamp at 26 `and having its other endpassed through a suitablebuc-l kle or. clamp indicated at 27. Said lstrap is adaptedl to bear against the rim4 28 of the vehicle wheel. clamp, thef'rigidmember 21 is placed between two adjacent spokes of the vehicle wheel, and its ends 22 and 23 are hooked In 1 the application` of theV 12 and the clam ,i 20, being removable, can I be secured to sai channel members 8 atany point in the lengththereof.

We further provide in our car ineans for carryiuga second tier of vehicles above the first tier resting upon the car floor 2. For this purpose, we provide a second floor 29, Figs. l, 2 and 3 of the drawings, said Hoor being divided into two equal sections lin'eally and preferably into two or more sections transversely, as shown in Fig. 2. Each section of said upper floor 29 is supported by means of a pair of brackets, one of which is shown at 3() in Fig. 3. Said bracket is hinged-at 31 to a fixed bracket 32 extending from and secured to a vertical stanchion 33, preferably forming a part of the car side 3. A brace 34 pivotally connected to the hinged bracket 30 at 35, carries at its lower end/a foot 36 adapted to slide vertically upon the stanchion 33, the lat-ter, as shown in Fig. 4, being preferably -composed of two spaced channel section members 33. Latch I nem-v bers 37l are mounted upon the stanchion 33 and are adapted for lateral sliding movement within suitable guides, not shown in the drawin s, so that when moved inwardly they provie bearings for the foot 36 of the brace 34, thereby holding the hingedl bracket 30 in its u )per or horizontal position. Said latch members 37 are preferably actuated by means of a common rod or shaft 38 extending the entire length of the upper oor section 29, said rod carrying gear pinions 39 adapted to engage gear teeth 40 upon said latch members'37, so that by the rotation of said rod 38 all of the latch members 37 for securing one upper ioor section 29 may be operated simultaneously. To partially balance the weight of the ioor section 29, counter-weights 41 are provided at the inner ends of the hinged bracket 30 and tension springs l42 are also provided to assist said counterweights 41. A latch or bolt 43 is provided for securing the adjacent lends of opposite alined swinging brackets 30 together. The upper-Hoor 29 is provided with channel members 8,'Figs. 1 and 3, similar to the channel-members 8 in the lower floor 2.- Hinged covers 44 are' also provided'in said upper door l29 to .cover said channel members 8 to provide an unbroken fioor for the carrying of freight otherthan vehicles.

In the -loading of the car, the upper door members 29 are lowered into the 4positionv shown `in full lines in Fig. 1. A vehicle is and is I'ioistedto the upper portion of the car, preferably by means of a suitable hoistf ing apparatus,`indicated at 45 and carried by a rail or track 46 secured centrally of the car roof 4. The upper floor members 29 are then raised to the position shown inl dot- `ted lines in Fig. 1 of-the drawin and 4 locked by means of the latch memhar and the Vbolts 43. `The vehicle is then lowered topermit its wheelsto rest in the clamped in this position by means of the chocks 12 and clamps 20, hereinbefore de scribed. If the vehicles 10 are longer than 15 the upper loor sections 29,

2, it is understood that two can be raised by the means raising the upper floor i tion. After the upper ,portion of the car has been loaded, another series ofA vehicles `is' run into ythe lower portion beneath the upper floor 29 and is secured inthe channel members 8 by the described means.

It may be necessary in some move the wheels from the vehicles loaded withiny the car. In such case, the vehicle is j run into thI car, in the manner described above, `and is then raised by means of suitable lifting jacks indicated at 47, inFigs.A 10 and-11 of the drawings, said jacks being laced preferably under theS vehicle 4he wheels are then removed fromsaid vehicle and the chocks 12 are placed in the channel members 8 under the ends of said axlev 48. Said chock members 12, fas'shown in Figs. 7 and-.8, are provided their upper portions with adjustable clamp ,sockets adapted to receive and secure the ends of the vehicle axle.

or more vehicles described before 52 secured by a screw 53 so that said upper be brought .down upon i jaw member 52 ma the end of .the vehicle axle to firmly clamp the same between said upper andlower jaw members.

For carrying the wheels l1 f the: vehicle when removed therefrom, vii-"eV provide spindles, shown at 54 in 4'spindles being pivotally mounted in `a bracket 55 secured to the side 3 of the car. When 'not in use said spindle .54 may be swung into av position parallel with theQcar side, m `which position it projects very little from said side. Said spindlemaybe moved into a positionat right angles to the car s1de,'

in which position the 'w eel 11 is placed u upon said spindle and securely clamped thereon b` means of a nut 56. l

l It will readily seen that the car may be used for freight other than vehicles, 'either as a single or a vdouble deck car. Moreover,

iih'i/slrtobe-funde'rstood that the car, although e heretofore described as channel members 8, and is blocked and as shown in Fig.v

members 29 toy posicases to reaxle 48. i

l Said clamp sockets com rise a lower .jaw member 49 having a sub- 'and adapted to receive Fig. 9, each of said particularly l adaptable for the transportation ofautomobiles may, nevertheless, be used for the transportation of other vehicles.

not wish to be construed as restricting our` We, therefore, do 'I selves to the preferred form of our invention -ashereinbefore described and with illustrations, for the reason that changes may be `made in the form and construction of the'invention without in anyway de art-V ing from the spirit thereof, fore our desi-re to be understood as claiming the invention as broadly as the state of the art will permit. e

Having thus described our invention, what and it ist erej we claim as new `and desire to protect by e Letters Patentis: e 1. In af freight car having a oor, disposed parallel channel members carried thereby and adapted to receive the wheels of a vehicle, and means associated with said channel members Wheels therewithin.

2. In a freight car,

` disposed parallel' channels 1formed therein and adaptedito receive the wheels of a vehicle, and means associated with said floor and positioned within said channels for securing said vehicle wheels,y to prevent movement thereof. i 3. In a freight car, a floor having lineally disposed-` parallel channels formed therein and adapted to receive the wheels of a vehicle, provide an unbroken ioorwhen said channelsv are not 4used for cle wheels. i Y

4. In a freight'c r, a floor having lineally disposed parallel channels formed therein the wheels of a vehicle, and hinged cover members for covering and means for covering said channels to lineally for securing said vehicle a floor having lineally the reception of vehii said channels to provide an unbroken floor when said channelsI are not used for thereception of vehicle wheels. 5. In a. freight car, a floor havin disposed parallel channels forme lineally therein -and adapted to receive the wheels of,a vehicle, meansfor securing said vehicle wheels within. said' channels, and means for cover- 'ing said channels to provide' an unbroken floor when said channels are not used for the reception 4of vehicle wheels. i

6. In a freight car. having a floor, said Hoor having lineally disposed parallel channels formed therein and adapted to receive the wheels of a vehicle, ,checks adapted to block said vehicle wheels against rotation within said channels, and :means foradjust- 'aby securing said chocks Vwithin said chan-V ne s.

7. In a freight car, a floor' having lineally disposedparallel channels formed therein wheels to prevent rotation thereof 'within izo and adapted to receive the wheels of alvehii cle, adjustable choc'ks adapted to'block said said channels, and means for'adju'stably securinr said chocks within said channels.'

8. fn. a freight car, a1 ioor having lineally disposed parallel channels formed therein cle, chocksadaptedfto block said wheels to prevent rotation thereof'within said chanvlces for clamping said 'wheels' within said channels. v

10. In a freight cai', a floor havin line` ally disposed parallel channels ormed therein and adapted to receive thel wheels of a vehicle, clamping devices associated with said channels and adapted torbear against the rims of said wheels to clamp said wheels within, said channels.

. 11. In a freight car having a ioor,.line

ally disposed parallel channel members carried by said floor, said channel members having outwardly turned lips at the upper edges thereof and being adapted to recelve the wheels of a vehicle, and clamping ldevices adapted to engage said lips and the rims of said4 vehicle wheels to clamp said wheels within said channel members." 12. In a freight car havin a door, line- `f ally disposed parallel channemembers carried thereby and adapted to receive the wheels of a vehicle, said channel 'members Vhaving outwardly turned lipsformed at the Y upper edges thereof, clamping 'devices for securing said vehicle wheels within said channel members, said clamping 1 devices comprising rigid members adapted' to engage the'lips ofy said channels, and iexible members adapted to engage the rims of said wheels. r

13. In a freight car, a Hoor havi ally disposed parallel channels forme ted to receive the wheels of a.

in and ada a second ioor positioned above linetherevehicle, an

the f rst floor, said second floor having similar llneally dis osed channels adapted to receive the whee of a vehicle.

v 14.` 'In a frei ht ca r, a iioor having lineally dlsposed paral elv channels formed therein an adapted to 'receive thewheels of a vehicle, a second floor-positioned above the iirst floor, said second iloor having similar lineally disposed channels adapted to receive the wheels of a vehicle, and meansfor covering said channels to provide an unbroken fioor when said channels are not used for the reception of vehicle ;wheels.

15. In a freight car havingside walls and a. floor, sai floor having lineally dis- 65 posed parallel channels formed therein and a second ioor positioned nels, means for securing said checks, and de- Afirst floor,

4lel channel members tions may be moved adapted to'receive the wheels of avehicle, above said first oor, a pivotalV connection between said second oor and a wallof the car whereby y said secondvfloor may occupy either a horizontal or a vertical position,land means for supporting` said second floor in -said'horizontal posltion. i

16. Ina freight car having side walls and a floor, a -second Hoor positioned above said first floor said second ioor being formed in two lineal sections, a pivotal connection between each vof said sections andthecar wall adjacent thereto, and meansfor supporting said sections in a horizontal position.

17. In a freight car having sidewalls and a floor, a second loor positlonedabove the said second vfieor being divided lineally `into two sections, a pivotal' connection between each section and the carV gr, wall adjacent thereto-whereby said sections may assume eithera-hrizontal position or a verticalv position parallel with and adv jacent to said car wall, meansfor supporting said sections'. in said horizontal position, and means for partially counter-balancing the weight of said sections when not held by said supporting means. s

18. In a freight car havingside walls and a floor, said vrHoor having llneally disposed parallel channels formed therein and adapted to receive the wheels ofv a vehicle, a second oor positioned above the first floor and divided lineallyinto twosections, a pivotal connection between each of said vsections and the 'car wall adjacent thereto ymeans forsupportin 4said sections in a horizontal position, and in'eally disposed paralcarried-by said second floor and adapted vto receive the wheels of .105 avehicle. y 19. In a-freight car having side walls and a' iioor said oor having lineally disposed otal connection between said second ioor and 115 Aawallof the car, means for supporting said second door in'a horizontal position, and means for elevating Va vehicle within the car to enable the same to rest'upon said second ioorf 120 20. In a freight car having side walls, aroof,and .a ioor, a second fioor positioned above vthe first floor and -divided lineally into two sections, a pivotal )connection between each of ,said sections and the car wall ad- 4125 jacent thereto, whereb said second floor secv l om ahorizfontal positionto a vvertical position parallel with-and adjacent to the walls ofl said car, means ais-v socia'ted with the of the car for=elevat 1 80 i naawru.- i

4ing the object therein to enable the sections of said second iioor to be `raised to a n, horizontal position, and means for supporting said floor sections in said horizontal position.

21. In a freight car,` Va fioor having lineally dis osed channels formed therein and adapte to receive the wheels `01E a vehicle, and devices positioned within said channels and adapted to secure said vehicle to v prevent'. movement thereof.

22. Ina freight car, a floor having linev ally disposed channels formed therein and' adapted to receive the wheels of a vehicle and devices adjustably mounted within said channels and adapted to secure said vehicle to prevent movement thereof. v e' In testimony whereof we have signed our *names to this s ecification in the presence of two slubscribmg witnesses.

CHARLES CLARK. JOSEPH MANNING.

Witnesses:

HARRY A. To'n'sN, N. A. Aem 

